By Finnell H.R. No. 18 74R929 WMS-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Possum Kingdom Relays is the oldest track and 1-2 field competition in the State of Texas; and 1-3 WHEREAS, Graham High School head track coach Cy Young 1-4 initiated this exceptional event in 1947, and his outstanding 1-5 efforts produced a level of success that ensured both the meet's 1-6 longevity and the highest quality of competition; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Originally consisting of a six-lane cinder track, 1-8 the meet's facilities were upgraded in 1967, when the Graham Lions 1-9 Club constructed an all-weather track at Newton Field; the track 1-10 was expanded to eight lanes in 1977, and the installation of 1-11 additional equipment purchased from the 1976 Montreal Olympics 1-12 created a state-of-the-art milieu for competition; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Among the many superb athletes who have participated 1-14 at the Possum Kingdom Relays are Olympians Dean Smith of Graham and 1-15 Randy Matson of Pampa and Southwest Conference coaches Clyde Hart 1-16 of Baylor University and Ted Nelson of Texas A&M University; and 1-17 WHEREAS, The 1994 Possum Kingdom Relays boasted a field of 1-18 more than 1,000 young athletes from Texas and Oklahoma high schools 1-19 with competition in two divisions for boys and girls events; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Encouraging young people in their pursuit of 1-21 excellence in the field of athletic endeavor is a goal close to the 1-22 heart of many Texans, and those who tirelessly labor to create the 1-23 finest venue for such competition are indeed worthy of special 1-24 praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-2 Legislature hereby honor the Possum King Relays for its unsurpassed 2-3 longevity as the oldest continuously held high school track and 2-4 field competition in the State of Texas; and, be it further 2-5 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-6 prepared for event organizers as an expression of high regard by 2-7 the Texas House of Representatives.